| Australian riders hit the road with Rio Olympics around the corner |
WHILE many Australians are still enjoying the seasonal revelry, our elite showjumping riders are busy planning and preparing for the Rio Olympics.
To be considered for Olympic selection, riders must travel to Europe to compete and qualify. It is estimated an average campaign will cost about $150,000 per horse, with no guarantee of selection.
The cost usually results in the horses being sold overseas, further depleting our ranks.
At least six of our current top horses and riders will travel overseas shortly with an eye on selection.
These include Cera Cassiago and Chris Chugg, Cristaline and Gab Kuna, Aladino and Merrick Ubank, Rosthwaite Vigilante and James Arkins, David Cameron and RR Dyranta and Yalambi’s Bellini Star and Steven Hill.
All will be heading to Europe, while Tom McDermott and Airtime Z will head to the US.
Jamie Kermond and Jamie Winning moved their operation to Germany more than a year ago, taking six horses with them. Kermond has had great success riding the stallion Quite Cassini.
Unfortunately, the owners have moved this horse to the US, but Kermond will continue to attempt to book an Olympics berth with one of his two other horses, Yalambi’s Carpino Z and Yandoo Oaks Constellation.
“It’d be pretty big for me,” he said of making the Australian team.
“I’ve been in two World Equestrian Games and a World Cup final, but the Olympics are something everyone wants to do. ”
Clunes bricklayer Steven Hill will leave his family and business behind when he heads to Germany in February.
Hill purchased Bellini Star as a three-year-old and has trained the horse himself.
Hill’s wife Amanda said they hope the seven years of hard work will pay off.
“It is a massive sacrifice but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said. “We will give it our best shot.I will travel back and forth a bit to try and help Steve as much as possible.
“We would love to bring the horse home after the Games but it just is so hard financially.”
US-based dual Olympian Matt Williams has had recent success riding Valinski and, along with Scott Keach, will also head to Europe for selection.
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